Shloka 6.114.74

रावणस्य अन्त्येष्टिः — Ravana’s Funeral Rites and the Ethics of Post-War Conduct

Devanagari script

हित्वंशोचितव्योमेप्रख्यातबलपौरुषः ।स्त्रीस्वभावात्तुमेबुद्धिःकारुण्येपरिवर्तते ।।।।

Transliteration

hitvaṁ śocitavyo me prakhyāta-bala-pauruṣaḥ | strī-svabhāvāt tu me buddhiḥ kāruṇye parivartate ||

Translation

You are renowned for strength and valor; you are not one for whom I ought to wail. Yet, by a woman’s nature, my mind turns toward compassion and grief.

Context

"You are famous for your strength and courage. I do not need to wail for you. Being a woman, by nature I am compassionate, and my mind is moving towards sorrow."

Characters & Entities

• Mandodarī
• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma here highlights truthful recognition of a warrior’s chosen fate, yet affirms compassion as a righteous human response even toward one who has erred.

What is the narrative situation?

After Rāvaṇa’s fall, Mandodarī stands near his body and speaks in grief, torn between his fame and her compassion.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Karunā—compassion—shown by Mandodarī even while acknowledging hard truths.